A Very Different Hobo Story

After my post on Edith Schaeffer's hospitality, I received the following email from our dear friend Rebecca. It is a sobering reminder of how a lack of hospitality can actually reflect negatively on the gospel. May it provoke us all to be diligent to show practical love and hospitality to others.

Kristin,

As you shared this story, it reminded me of another story told by a hobo.  He was my brother-in-law.  He left home when he was 15 during the depression.  (Yes he was a good bit older than my sister-in-law-- my husband's sister.)  He left to ease the strain of feeding a large family and rode the rails around the country.  He often begged for his food.  At one time when I was drawing him out about his beliefs in God, he shared a story of begging at the home of a Christian.  He received a bag that was heavy and he was eager for the food.  When he opened it, he found mostly tracts and a small piece of dry bread.  He told me somewhat bitterly that he threw it all away.  That experience among others stayed with him and seemed to embitter his heart toward Christians.  I know that he is ultimately responsible for his decision to reject Christ, but how differently might he have been affected had he met Mrs. Schaeffer.  Now, who am I to judge the person who gave him the bag of tracts, they probably had difficulty providing for their own family and judging that "man does not live by bread alone" did what they knew to feed his soul.  He went on to lead a prosperous and productive life as far as earthly possessions went.  However, I am sorry to say, that when he died, to my knowledge he never did receive the Bread of Life offered by our Savior.

Thanks for continuing to point us to the gospel and how we can participate in its spread!!

Rebecca